Psychiatric Aide Salary in Boston, MA
Psychiatric Aides in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median $48,100 a year — 7% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $38,643 take-home, or $3,220 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median psychiatric aide salary in Boston, MA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,592
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,982
- Medicare (1.45%)$697
- Massachusetts income tax$2,185
- Take-home pay$38,643
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.00% state
The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro spans Massachusetts, New Hampshire. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Psychiatric Aide pay by experience in Boston, MA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,030 | $17.80 | $30,302 | $2,525 |
| 25th percentile | $39,400 | $18.94 | $32,088 | $2,674 |
| Median (50th) | $48,100 | $23.13 | $38,643 | $3,220 |
| 75th percentile | $80,120 | $38.52 | $61,408 | $5,117 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,130 | $38.52 | $61,415 | $5,118 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Massachusetts resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $48,100 buys in Boston, MA
Prices in Boston, MA are 8.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.48× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median psychiatric aide's $38,643 take-home pay has the buying power of $35,693 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Psychiatric Aide jobs are about as common in Boston, MA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.93).
Best-paying cities for psychiatric aides, adjusted for cost of living
Boston, MA ranks #6 of 10 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pittsburgh, PA | $44,920 | $36,894 | $38,971 |
| 2 | Indianapolis, IN | $45,080 | $37,101 | $38,770 |
| 3 | Philadelphia, PA | $48,560 | $39,707 | $38,718 |
| 4 | Salem, OR | $50,580 | $39,225 | $37,844 |
| 5 | Detroit, MI | $45,410 | $36,988 | $36,878 |
| 6 | Boston, MA | $48,100 | $38,643 | $35,693 |
| 7 | New York, NY | $49,840 | $40,132 | $35,653 |
| 8 | Los Angeles, CA | $47,050 | $38,501 | $33,901 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 10 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a psychiatric aide make in Boston, MA?
The median psychiatric aide salary in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $48,100 a year, or about $23.13 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $39,400 and $80,120.
What is a psychiatric aide’s take-home pay in Boston, MA?
On the median $48,100 salary, a single filer living in Massachusetts takes home about $38,643 a year ($3,220 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,185 in Massachusetts taxes in 2026.
Is Boston, MA a good place to work as a psychiatric aide?
Pay here is 7% above the national median of $44,910. Local prices are 8.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $35,693 would in a typical U.S. city. Boston, MA ranks #6 of 10 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a psychiatric aide afford rent in Boston, MA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Boston, MA is $2,276 a month ($2,762 for two bedrooms) — 71% of a median psychiatric aide’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Boston, MA
- Physical Therapist Assistant — $80,430
- Occupational Therapy Assistant — $75,300
- Massage Therapist — $75,160
- Medical Equipment Preparer — $60,840
- Healthcare Support Workers, All Other — $60,760
- Dental Assistant — $58,160
- Medical Assistant — $50,740
- Phlebotomist — $50,420
- Nursing Assistant — $47,590
- Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker — $45,790
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $40,910
- Orderly — $39,800